John C. Calhoun: American Portrait

De: Margaret L. Coit

Narrado por: Charlton Griffin

Author Margaret Coit's Pulitzer Prize winning biography of John C. Calhoun is a towering accomplishment in the writing of American history, powerful in the fullest sense of the word. This is no bland recital of dates and events. It is a searing, blinding, cascading roller coaster of emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and above all, human, history. The listener lives through hot, sleepy days on the South Carolina frontier of Calhoun's youth; goes with him to Yale in 1802 where the scent of the sea wafted in through his rooms; to the stern, New England town of Litchfield, Connecticut and its law school to study under Federalist mentors, and where students were expected to wear buckled breeches and ruffled stocks.

Muddy, primitive Washington, D.C. comes to life in the terrible years when our national tragedy of disunion was unfolding, with Jackson, Benton, Randolph, Webster, Clay, and Calhoun each struggling in his own way to avert catastrophe. When you have known the great South Carolinian at all the stages of his life; when you have lived through the events which determined his views; and when you have followed the path of his relentless logic - then you will finally understand our Civil War as few of us have ever been able to understand it before. In Miss Coit's brilliant story of Calhoun's personal life we discover a man of human frailties and human magnificence, much different from the image in those brooding photographs. And for the first time we understand how John C. Calhoun held the passionate loyalty of his people.

©1950 Estate of Margaret L. Coit (P)2014 Audio Connoisseur

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Provides far and away the most detailed, vivid, and convincing personal characterization of Calhoun we have." (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Nation)

Well, I guess at least we still have History

Life is just so weird. I was listening to this for research when a political movement happened to take Calhoun's name off of a hall or dorm in Yale. I don't agree with Calhoun, and maybe he doesn't deserve the honor. But it seems to me that if we rewrite history, we will revisit it. The take away from this book is how early on Calhoun realized the South's doom. Instead of figuring out a way to stop it at that moment, he perpetuated the doom by speaking for it. That's his great failing. We need to remember this failed legacy.

An unusually gripping biography

Great narration, with a depth of feeling unusual for historical material. Certain aspects of this book feel dated, yes, but it’s a very compelling work nevertheless.

fantastic throughout

too bad modern historians so often obscure or blatantly lie about his true character, brilliant mind, and great love of liberty.

Wonderful if you like history.

The author did a great job of evoking vivid imagery of the times. At times very powerful and thought provoking. Very balanced. I enjoyed learning more about a very passionate, patriotic, and misunderstood man.

A true must-listen for the history buff.

A well done, evenly paced walk through the life of an American. Great story indeed.

Perfect book on Calhoun

Not only did I know Calhoun but I felt I knew early America. Highly recommend!

gasping

the narrator gasping for air between each sentence ruined this listen!please beware,perhaps better editing or a least a different recording set up a complete let down on the narrators part !!!

Wonderful subject, beautifully told and narrated

What made the experience of listening to John C. Calhoun: American Portrait the most enjoyable?

I knew little of John C. Calhoun and only had a superficial understanding of the old deep antebellum South apart from the lone issue of slavery. I found the subject extremely interesting and exotic. This is an excellent personal and cultural history. The writing style, which at first strikes one as archaic, takes on a life and character of its own and adds greatly to the experience. One of the finest political biographies I have encountered in years.

Needs to be abridged

If a picture is worth a thousand words this author has dtawn at least a hundred. Every home, school, farm, and office. Meals include details about preparation and growing the contents described in painfull detail. Ocasionally some details about what Calhoun was doing come up. Every person described includes a description of how much he or she admired Calhoun.
Slow moving. worshiping, and somyimes informative about relashionships with people in government.
The audiobook malfuntioned and kept repeating chapter 26 and 27. I was able to force 28 but never got 29 or 30 to play.

Hidden Treasure

Would you consider the audio edition of John C. Calhoun: American Portrait to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

John C. Calhoun, modern history has overlooked this amazing constitutionalist.

Which character – as performed by Charlton Griffin – was your favorite?

John C. Calhoun

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Toward the end of Calhoun's life, he seemed to be clairvoyant & able to predict the future. His desire to keep the Union together gave him his daily breath.

Any additional comments?

This book was really in-depth & layered, it loved it.